My Koi Sunshine

[PKay]

Hello, this is PKay,

i enjoy and spend time with my fish everyday. I noticed a couple of days ago that my Koi Sunshine's mouth was bloody. It looked as if she had been in a fight, I wasn't sure if my Lobster had gotten a hold of her because she was trying to get the food out of his house or if she had mouth rot. I've been treating the tank with Pimafix and Melafix. Since my lobster is in the tank I have to watch what type of medicine I use, I can't use anything with copper in it or it will kill my lobster. I recently learned that and now know why I was losing my clams, crab and snail. Last night I noticed both of her eyes are bulging out. I don't have a sick tankl, I have three different tanks, and really don't have the space to put a tank that she or the other koi could be in. The other koi seem to be ok. What do you suggest

 

[Lupin]

to MFK, Kay!

First of all, I suggest you test your water parameters particularly ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Popeyes or exophthalmus can be associated with poor water conditions or injuries that cause the eyes to bulge due to fluids accummulating behind the organs.

When you test, please make sure you use liquid test kits particularly by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Inc. as these are the most accurate and widely acknowledged test tools by aquarists globally. Avoid the test strips as they are in general inaccurate and quite misleading.

Secondly, I would like to voice my concern that you may be mixing your pets inappropriately. If indeed your lobster is one of these commonly available crayfish (except dwarf species), then I suggest you separate your crayfish immediately. Crayfish are ambush predators by nature. Undoubtedly, your koi was likely attacked by your crayfish otherwise its mouth would not appeared injured. Mouth rot does not undergo bloody stages. There has to be no other explanation other than than your crayfish itself.

Crayfish are known to hunt their fellow invertebrates. Any gastropod is not safe with several crustaceans. I don't recommend mixing both groups of invertebrates except the likes of most shrimps such as Neocaridina.

Thirdly, how big is the tank? Are you aware your koi are pond fish rather than aquarium fish? Unfortunately, koi despite their long lifespan averaging 1-3 decades up to the very rare century or two, grow to 2-3 feet in length. That is not accommodated by several private aquaria. Only ponds by thousands of gallons can perfectly house them without stunting them.

Hope this helps.

Lupes